ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Awnie's House ???? Kids Book Read Aloud: NOT TOO BIG…NOT TOO SMALL…JUST RIGHT FOR ME! by Jimmy and Darlene Korpai
Hi there! I’m Ani, and I’m so happy you’re here to read with me! Today, we’re going to read a special story about being different and how that’s a wonderful thing. Are you ready? Let’s get started!
This story is called “Not Too Big, Not Too Small, Just Right for Me,” and it’s written by Jimmy and Darlene Korpai. Our friend Sami is six years old, and he loves the color orange. Sami is a bit shorter than his friend Miguel, and that’s what makes him special!
Sami has lots of friends, and each one is different in their own way. Tommy wears glasses, Allison has big hair, Ben is big, Tim is tall, Jen uses a wheelchair, and Grace thinks a little longer. Miguel’s skin color is different from George’s. Isn’t it cool how everyone is unique?
Being different is what makes us all special! What makes you different? Is it your hair, your smile, or maybe the way you laugh? You can draw a picture of yourself and show what makes you unique!
Sami has something called dwarfism, which makes him shorter. This happens because of something called DNA. DNA is like a special recipe that tells our bodies how to grow. It decides how tall we are, the color of our eyes, and even how our hearts beat!
Even though Sami is shorter, he can do almost everything other kids can do. He might use a smaller bike or a step stool to reach things. Sometimes, he asks for help, and that’s okay!
It’s important to be kind to everyone and not to point or stare. If you don’t know someone’s name, you can always ask. Remember, being different is what makes us all special!
Sami says, “I am not too big, I am not too small, I am just right for me.” Let’s celebrate our differences and be happy that we’re all unique!
I hope you enjoyed our story today. Remember, being different is awesome! See you next time, friends!
Draw Your Unique Self: Grab some crayons and paper! Draw a picture of yourself and include all the things that make you special. Is it your curly hair, your freckles, or maybe your favorite hat? Share your drawing with a friend or family member and tell them what makes you unique. This activity helps you appreciate your own special qualities and those of others.
Find the Differences: With a friend or family member, look around your home or classroom and find objects that are different from each other. Maybe one chair is taller than another, or one book is thicker. Talk about how these differences make each object special and useful in its own way. This will help you understand that differences are not only normal but also valuable.
Kindness Role Play: Pretend you are meeting someone new who is different from you in some way. Practice introducing yourself and asking them about their favorite things. Remember to be kind and respectful. This activity helps you learn how to interact positively with people who are different from you, reinforcing the importance of kindness and acceptance.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hello, my reading friends! It’s Ani. I’m so happy you came to see me! If you like reading stories with me, be sure to subscribe and watch all the way through because I’m going to do some shout-outs at the end. Are you ready for a story?
In today’s book, we’re going to learn what it’s like to be smaller than most other people. My reading friend Gunner has achondroplasia dwarfism, and he really likes this book. It’s called “Not Too Big, Not Too Small, Just Right for Me.” If you have a copy, go get it so you can read along with me!
**[Music]**
“Not Too Big, Not Too Small, Just Right for Me,” written and illustrated by Jimmy and Darlene Corpe.
My name is Sami. I am six years old, and my favorite color is orange. You might notice something different about me. No, not my hair! This is my friend Miguel. We are both six years old. Can you see my difference? That’s right, I’m much shorter than Miguel, and that is what makes me awesome!
All my friends are different in some way. Tommy wears glasses, Allison has big hair, Ben is big, Tim is tall, Jen uses a wheelchair to get around, and Grace thinks a little longer. I am short. Miguel’s skin color is different from George’s. We are all different in our own way, and that is what makes us all awesome! If we were all the same, that would be boring.
Being different in some ways is the only thing that really makes us all the same. What makes you different from everyone else? Is it the way you look, the way you act, how you speak, where you live, or who you are? Let’s see what makes you different! Draw yourself here. If you have a copy of the book, go ahead and pause the video so you can draw a picture of yourself on the page provided. If not, you can use a piece of paper and a pencil.
I have dwarfism, which makes me shorter than others. That is because my bones do not grow the same way as some of my friends. Do you know why? Because inside our bodies, we have something called DNA. It is kind of like blueprints that are used as instructions on how to build a house. DNA is in charge of telling us how tall or short we are. It tells us the color of our skin and the color of our eyes. It also tells our body how to work, from the beating of our hearts to the way our bones grow. DNA is our blueprint for how we are made and for who we are. It creates the differences that make us all special in our own way.
Do you see all the little DNA guys? The first one is telling the brain to think, think, think. The second one is telling the heart to beat, beat, beat. The third is telling the stomach to eat, eat, eat. The fourth is talking to the bones, saying grow, grow, grow. And mine says slow, slow, slow. Dwarfism makes me shorter and is only part of who I am. Otherwise, I’m just another kid, just like you!
I can do just about anything everyone else can, but because I’m much shorter, sometimes I have to do things in a different way. No matter what it is, one way or another, I get it done! If I ride a bicycle, it is smaller to fit my size. Sometimes I need to use a step stool to get things. Sometimes I need to use a stick to reach things. Sometimes I need to use a stick and my step stool to reach something. If I do not have a step stool or stick and I can’t reach something, I ask someone for help.
You should not point or stare at anyone or call them names because it can hurt their feelings and make them sad. Do you like to have your feelings hurt or feel sad? You should call people by their name. If you do not know their name, you can always ask them. If you need to describe me to someone, you can always say, “That is Sam. He has dwarfism,” or “the boy with dwarfism,” or “the boy who’s much shorter.”
Always remember that just because you’re taller, it does not mean you are older, and just because someone’s shorter, it does not mean that they are a baby or that you should call them a baby. Only a baby would think or say that. George is 10 years old, and his grandpa is 80 years old. Who is taller and who is older?
My name is Sam, and dwarfism is only part of who I am. I am not too big, I am not too small, I am just right for me. Celebrate your differences! I think Sam was right when he said it would be boring if we were all the same. Aren’t you glad we’re all different?
Okay, time for some shout-outs! Today, they’re going to Caden in Mount Juliet, Tennessee; James and Nathan in Carrollton, Texas; Emma and Emmanuel in Tempe, Arizona; Jonah, Luke, Julianne, Ruth, and Little Shirley in El Paso, Texas; as well as I, Dave, and Jania in India. Hello to everyone! I’m so happy that you’re all a part of my reading family. I hope you enjoyed our story today. See you next time!
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